Are we talking long term like a decade here or just a year till you chop something down thats in the way?

Does anyone bonsai regular sweetgum? My guess is leave it in considerably more shade to slow the growth while you read up on bonsai techniques.

toronado, probably long term, I don't have any space in my backyard to plant one. My thought process would be to plant it in a 25 gallon container and root prune it every few years or would that not work?

We should get a go fund me more land started for you!

shame we have folks that have acres of land with 3 trees on it.

It is probably a tree that does not do well in a container. It grows very quickly from my observation. Maybe search for an ornamental or understory tree to grow in a container? Or a slower growing tree?

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Variegata' grows at a slower rate then the green-leafed form of the tree. What is the size of the tree you are starting with, stuartlawrence? 25 gal. isn't a huge container when talking about trees, but it would be ok for a while if your plant is smaller to begin with, especially with the slower growth rate.

As the roots fill in, you can expect to have more maintenance keeping the plant healthy, protecting from extreme weather, and providing sufficient irrigation. The higher maintenance would also apply if you were to employ bonsai techniques; this species is often used as true bonsai subjects, so it is possible to grow them in that way.

Does the location support a larger than 25 gal. sized container in case you have the plant long enough to make it necessary? I've frequently grown trees ornamentally in containers, but I bump them up and some of my containers are very large (up to 3' high x 3' diameter ceramic pots) and my climate is different.

If this is a cultivar you especially like and want to have in your space, personally, I'd go for it. You would get to enjoy the tree, and if it ever became unmanageable, just rehome and begin again raising another youngster. If it isn't anything special in your eyes, I'd probably look into something that you do like, and would stay smaller in size.

Growing trees in containers is a time honored tradition, dating back thousands of years.

Aren't the oaks at Ground Zero in effect planted in large containers?

I think your project is eminently doable, but it will mean work and diligence on your part.

ANY tree can be grown in a container!! At least on a semi temporary basis that can last for a number of years. But the growth rate will be substantially reduced and the tree will require significant attention to maintain it in proper health. Depending on the species selected, at some point in time the burden of care may exceed the benefits..........when your tree is 8-10' tall and in a sufficiently large container for that size, it becomes harder and harder to unpot, root prune and refresh/replace the soil media as often as necessary. Or provide any winter protection, should that be necessary.